Folksinger/songwriter Kelley Smith is a hopeless romantic who fancies old poetry and grandpa sweaters. All at once whimsical and haunting, Smith delivers deeply affecting lyrics with wry charm and a time traveler’s voice. Prone to melancholy and daydreaming, Kelley spent her childhood roaming the woods of Minnesota and singing to forest animals. To this day, her longing for that landscape runs deep and seems to find its way into her songs in one way or another.

Raised by musicians, Smith always had music in her bones, but it wasn’t until she was 40 and a mother of four that her first record, Moon Child (2022), came to be. As an insomniac, she wrote this first batch of songs by moonlight. They evoke a sense of belonging, juxtaposed with escapism, as she croons about long-term love, grief, and her draw to the night sky. ”Her authentic, rootsy sound, falling somewhere between country, folk, bluegrass and old-time music, is a pitch-perfect vehicle for the themes she explores…” – Adventures in Americana

Since 2022, Kelley has been honored to share stages with folks such as Charlie Parr, Kelly Hunt, Wild Horses, Dave Simonett, Alan Sparhawk, Stephen Wilson Jr., John Louis, and Drew Peterson. Most often performing solo or as a duo, Smith interprets old folk songs on guitar and banjo, in addition to her original music.

”…armed only with her guitar and a spine-tingling voice, you couldn’t tell she’s only been at this a couple years. Smith transported the room into a realm of enchantment both beautiful and sorrowful. With deeply affecting lyrics and haunting melodies, Smith shared stories we could all relate to. Her solo acoustic set created an atmosphere of intimacy and vulnerability, allowing the audience to connect on a deep and personal level..” – Adventures in Americana

The Reif Cozy Concert Series features Minnesota-based singer-songwriters performing their own heartfelt and original compositions. You can expect a diverse range of styles, from folk and indie to blues and Americana. Each show offers a unique opportunity to connect with artists and their music in the intimate Ives Theater at The Reif Center. These poignant, stripped-down performances are sure to capture the raw intensity of the gifted storytellers grown right here in our region.